The portfolio represents you, your experience, your development. Professional development is on-going and your portfolio should reflect this. For example, you might include your initial teaching qualifications then gradually add certificates of attendance at workshops, details of conferences attended, further qualifications you gain etc, as your career progresses. You may want to include a description of the levels you have taught and highlight areas you'd like to focus on. You could include materials you have created and examples of your learners' work. You may want to create a development plan with specific goals, or you may decide to get involved in peer observation and support. The important thing is to have a basis for reflection and build in regular reviews.

Have a look at these suggestions of items that could go into your portfolio.

• Attendance certificates from workshops, conferences, seminars etc.
• Example lesson plans
• Feedback from supervisors, mentors, peers
• Letters/notes from learners
• Letters/notes from parents
• Materials you have created
• Observation reports
• Professional development plan
• Programmes/information/handouts from workshops, seminars, conferences you have participated in
• Qualifications
• Reflections following observations
• Reflections on aspects of your teaching practice
• Reflections on learning diary
• Reflections on materials you have read/research carried out
• Reflections on training sessions you have attended
• Reviews of development plans
• Reviews of lesson plans and activities
• Samples of learners' work and your feedback to them
• Syllabuses - the school's or one you have created
• Plans for training sessions delivered by you
• Record of guidance you have given to a colleague

Move onto the next page for information on how to get started.